Feels Like We Only Go Backwards

For a band to get better on their sophomore effort is a rarity, yet I declare that Tame Impala has successfully accomplished just that on Lonerism. Less guitar focused and more of a dive into the realm of pop music, this album sounds like what John Lennon would song like if he was a young man of today. Blending the familiar with the far out, Tame Impala channel a Revolver-esque psych-pop experience. This shift from the guitar-heavy sound of the debut to a more synthed-out approach gives the album a more expansive feeling, allowing for new textures through layer after layer of melody. As with Innerspeaker, sonic architect Dave Fridmann handles the mixing, and though he wasn't involved in the recording process, Lonerism definitely shares the producer's knack for using the space as an instrument in and of itself. This layering of not just sounds, but environments, creates a serene and lonely patchwork of sound, texture, and atmosphere that's a pleasure to explore, offering something different with every journey into its swirling haze of classic pop melody and modern, more experimental, construction. Please take a lovely listen to "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" (and no, this isn't a jab at the election, just a title coinkidink) here: Email marta@alternativemusic.com to inquire about purchasing Lonerism on CD or LP.